Most people put off making a will because they think affordable estate planning doesn’t exist. Solicitors can charge £200 or more for a simple will, which feels steep when you’re already managing everyday expenses. Yet dying without proper estate planning means the government decides who gets what, your partner might inherit nothing if you’re not married, and your loved ones face legal chaos at the worst possible time.
This guide covers 16 UK providers offering will writing and estate planning services at prices that won’t break the bank. You’ll find everything from completely free solicitor-drafted wills through charity schemes, to online services from £60, to fixed fee options that include trusts and complex arrangements. Each section breaks down exactly what you get, who the service suits best, what protections you have if something goes wrong, and the real costs with no surprises. Whether you need a basic will sorted this week or want comprehensive estate planning with professional advice, you’ll find an option that fits your budget and circumstances.
1. Go Direct Cremations
Go Direct Cremations combines direct cremation services with end-of-life planning guidance, helping you prepare estate documents while sorting funeral arrangements. This provider operates across mainland England, Scotland and Wales, offering a single point of contact for both affordable estate planning documentation and simplified cremation services without the traditional ceremony costs.
What this provider offers
You get access to will writing resources and estate planning information through their support team, alongside direct cremation services. The company provides 24/7 availability for consultations and handles all necessary paperwork, formalities and documentation. Their blog covers topics like leaving money to charity and managing funeral costs, which helps inform your estate planning decisions.
Who this works best for
This service suits people who want to bundle estate planning with end-of-life arrangements in one conversation. You benefit most if you’re planning ahead for yourself or need both will guidance and cremation services for a loved one simultaneously.
Combining estate planning discussions with funeral arrangements often helps families address difficult topics more efficiently.
Pros, limits and protections
The main advantage is convenience through a single provider handling multiple aspects of end-of-life planning. Their professional mortuary facilities and trusted network ensure quality standards. However, their estate planning services focus primarily on information and guidance rather than full solicitor-drafted wills, which may limit complexity.
Prices and key deals
Go Direct Cremations offers transparent pricing with a clear base cost and itemised additional expenses. Contact their team directly for specific estate planning resource costs, as these vary based on your individual requirements and the complexity of documents needed.
2. Free Wills Month
Free Wills Month runs twice yearly in October and March, connecting people aged 55 and over with solicitor-drafted wills at no upfront cost. Hundreds of participating solicitors across England and Wales offer this affordable estate planning service, asking only that you consider leaving a gift to one of the supporting charities in your will.
What this provider offers
You get a professionally drafted will by a qualified solicitor, either through face-to-face meetings, video calls or telephone appointments. The service covers basic wills including mirror wills for couples, and your solicitor handles all the legal requirements to make your will valid. Participating charities change each edition but typically include well-known organisations like Age UK, Guide Dogs, RNLI and Cancer Research UK.
Who this works best for
This service suits anyone aged 55 or over with straightforward estate planning needs who wants the security of a solicitor-drafted will without paying typical fees. If you’re part of a couple, only one person needs to meet the age requirement for both of you to qualify.
Bookings fill up within days of each edition launching, so you need to act fast when October or March arrives.
Pros, limits and protections
You receive full solicitor protection including access to the Legal Ombudsman and professional indemnity insurance. Complex situations like property trusts or Inheritance Tax planning typically incur additional charges, though the basic will remains free. Registration opens at the start of October or March, with appointments continuing through the following month.
Prices and key deals
The will costs nothing upfront, though solicitors suggest leaving £300 to £1,000 or a small estate percentage to charity. You’re not obligated to include any charitable gift, and the will stays valid regardless of your decision.
3. Will Aid
Will Aid operates each November as a nationwide charity scheme connecting you with participating solicitors who write basic wills for free. Instead of charging their usual fees, solicitors invite you to make a voluntary donation to Will Aid, which gets shared among nine supporting charities including Age UK, British Red Cross, Christian Aid and NSPCC. This affordable estate planning option has helped thousands of people secure professional will writing services without the typical costs.
What this provider offers
You receive a solicitor-drafted will with full legal validity, covering straightforward estates including mirror wills for couples. Participating solicitors across the UK provide face-to-face, video or telephone appointments based on their availability. The service handles all signing and witnessing requirements to ensure your will meets legal standards, and solicitors often store your will at no extra charge. Every will created through Will Aid can be registered free via the National Will Register, adding an extra layer of security for your loved ones.
Who this works best for
This scheme suits anyone aged 18 or over with basic estate planning needs who wants the protection of a solicitor without paying £200 or more. You benefit most if you’re leaving everything to your spouse and children, or have a simple distribution plan without complex tax considerations or overseas property.
Appointments book up within the first few days of November, so mark your calendar for early booking when registration opens.
Pros, limits and protections
You get complete solicitor protection including professional indemnity insurance and access to the Legal Ombudsman if something goes wrong. Complex additions like property trusts or detailed Inheritance Tax planning will incur extra charges on top of your donation. Bookings stay open throughout November, though appointments can happen in December or later if needed.
Prices and key deals
Will Aid suggests donations of £120 for single wills or £200 for joint mirror wills, though you decide the amount. You can give less if finances are tight, and you’re never obligated to donate anything. The will remains legally valid regardless of whether you make a charitable contribution.
4. Cancer Research UK wills
Cancer Research UK runs a year-round free will service connecting you with solicitors and will-writing providers across the UK. You access professional will drafting at no upfront cost, with the charity hoping you’ll consider leaving a gift in your will to fund cancer research programmes. This affordable estate planning route gives you legal documents without the typical solicitor fees, while supporting medical advances that could help future generations.
What this provider offers
You receive either a solicitor-drafted will or a document created by a qualified will-writing provider, depending on which professional the charity connects you with. The service covers straightforward wills including mirror wills for couples, with all legal requirements met to ensure validity. Your will gets checked by the appointed professional who guides you through signing and witnessing procedures.
Who this works best for
This service suits anyone aged 18 or over with basic estate planning needs who wants professional help without paying standard fees. You benefit particularly if you’re already considering supporting cancer research, though you’re never obligated to leave any charitable gift. People with simple estates who want the reassurance of professional drafting find this option valuable.
The charity pays for your will drafting, so leaving even a small percentage of your estate helps offset their investment in your document.
Pros, limits and protections
Protection levels depend on whether a solicitor or will-writer handles your document. Solicitor-drafted wills give you full regulatory protection and access to the Legal Ombudsman. Will-writing providers typically belong to trade bodies but offer less formal recourse. Complex additions like trusts or detailed tax planning may incur extra charges.
Prices and key deals
The service costs nothing upfront, with no minimum donation required. Cancer Research UK suggests leaving a gift in your will but never makes this compulsory. Your will remains legally valid whether you include a charitable bequest or not, and you decide any gift amount that feels comfortable for your circumstances.
5. National Free Wills Network
The National Free Wills Network connects nearly 300 charities with participating solicitors across the UK, offering year-round access to professional will writing services. Each charity in the network arranges for you to have a simple will drafted by a solicitor at no upfront cost, with the hope that you’ll include a charitable gift in your final wishes. This affordable estate planning option gives you flexibility to choose the cause that matters most to you while getting the legal protection of a solicitor-drafted document.
What this provider offers
You receive a solicitor-drafted will covering straightforward estates, with all legal requirements met for validity. Participating charities include organisations like Alzheimer’s Research UK, Amnesty International, British Academy, Guide Dogs, Liberty, Oxfam, RNLI and Shelter. Each charity arranges the solicitor appointment for you, handles the logistics, and ensures your will gets properly signed and witnessed.
Who this works best for
This service suits anyone aged 18 or over who wants to support a specific cause while getting professional will writing. You benefit most if you have basic estate planning needs and already feel connected to one of the participating charities. People who want the security of a solicitor’s work without paying typical fees find this network valuable.
Choosing a charity you already support makes the will writing process feel more meaningful while protecting your loved ones.
Pros, limits and protections
You get full solicitor protection including professional indemnity insurance and access to the Legal Ombudsman. Complex additions like property trusts or detailed tax planning typically incur extra charges beyond the free basic will. Available year-round rather than limited to specific months, giving you more flexibility for scheduling.
Prices and key deals
The will costs nothing upfront, with no minimum donation required in your will. Charities hope you’ll leave a gift but never make this compulsory, and your will stays legally valid regardless of whether you include a charitable bequest.
6. Trade union will services
Several major UK trade unions provide free solicitor-drafted wills as a membership benefit, offering genuine affordable estate planning without any upfront costs or hidden charges. Unions like the Public and Commercial Services Union, NASUWT teachers’ union, Fire Brigades Union and Unison arrange for qualified solicitors to write your will and often extend the benefit to your partner through mirror wills. This perk exists because unions negotiate these services as part of their collective membership advantages, spreading costs across their entire membership base.
What this provider offers
You receive a professionally drafted will by a qualified solicitor at no cost, typically covering straightforward estates including mirror wills for couples. The solicitor handles all legal requirements for validity including proper witnessing and signing procedures. Your union manages the arrangement process and connects you with approved legal firms in their network.
Who this works best for
This service suits current union members with basic estate planning needs who want solicitor-level protection without typical fees. You need active membership in a participating union to qualify, though some unions extend benefits to recently retired members.
Union-arranged wills give you the same legal protections as paying a solicitor directly, but your membership fee already covers the cost.
Pros, limits and protections
You get full solicitor protection including professional indemnity insurance and access to the Legal Ombudsman. Complex additions like trusts or detailed tax planning may incur extra charges. Availability depends entirely on your specific union’s benefits package.
Prices and key deals
The will costs nothing beyond your regular union membership fee, with no additional charges for basic documents. Check your union’s member services section or contact their benefits team to confirm whether will writing features in your membership package.
7. Free Wills online service
Free Wills operates as an online will-writing platform across England and Wales where every document gets checked by a solicitor, giving you professional oversight without the typical solicitor fees. You complete your will through their digital system, and a qualified solicitor reviews your document before finalising it. This affordable estate planning route combines the convenience of online forms with the security of solicitor verification, helping you create valid legal documents from your own home.
What this provider offers
You access free will creation through their online platform, with each document reviewed by a qualified solicitor before completion. The service lets you amend your will years later at no extra cost, which proves valuable as your circumstances change. Free Wills can store your document for £25 (reduced from £50), including registration with the National Will Register. The platform has helped raise over £300 million for charities through voluntary gifts left in wills.
Who this works best for
This service suits people comfortable with online forms who want solicitor verification without paying standard legal fees. You benefit most if you have straightforward estate planning needs and prefer working through documents at your own pace rather than in face-to-face meetings.
Solicitor verification gives you protection while keeping costs down, though complex estates may need more hands-on legal support.
Pros, limits and protections
You can complain to the Legal Ombudsman about the solicitor who checks your will, providing formal recourse if problems arise. The platform recommends Kings Court Trust as your executor, but you’re never obligated to accept this suggestion. Kings Court Trust charges thousands in executor fees, so appointing a trusted family member instead saves your estate money.
Prices and key deals
The will creation costs nothing, with optional will storage at £25 including National Will Register registration. Free Wills hopes you’ll consider leaving a charitable gift in your will, though this remains entirely voluntary and doesn’t affect your document’s validity.
8. Octopus Legacy
Octopus Legacy runs free will months during March, September and October each year, offering all adults in England and Wales access to will writing services with no upfront costs. Their legal team, overseen by a solicitor, checks your document to ensure validity, though only very complex estates get a solicitor to draft the will directly. This affordable estate planning approach connects you with 150+ partner charities including ActionAid, WWF UK, RNIB and the Canal & River Trust, hoping you’ll consider leaving a charitable gift in your final wishes.
What this provider offers
You complete your will through online forms, telephone consultations, home visits or in-branch appointments depending on your preference. Their legal team reviews your document to catch errors and ensure it meets legal requirements. Simple wills and mirror wills for couples with straightforward wishes qualify for the free service. People with more complex needs can access discounted will writing during the free months, though these carry charges beyond the basic service.
Who this works best for
This service suits anyone aged 18 or over with basic estate planning needs who wants flexibility in how they create their will. You benefit most if you’re comfortable working through digital forms or prefer telephone guidance rather than face-to-face solicitor meetings. The multi-channel approach helps if you’re less confident with technology or want someone to visit your home.
Having your will checked by a legal team overseen by a solicitor differs from having a solicitor draft it personally, which matters for complex estates.
Pros, limits and protections
The flexible appointment options accommodate different preferences and abilities. However, without a solicitor drafting every will directly, you get less hands-on legal support than traditional solicitor services. Complex estates costing from £399 do receive solicitor drafting, giving you stronger protection for intricate situations.
Prices and key deals
Free months cost nothing for simple wills, with no obligation to leave charitable gifts. Outside March, September and October, simple wills cost £100 online or £150 for telephone or home visits. Complex wills start at £399 regardless of when you apply.
9. Co op Legal Services
Co-op Legal Services operates as an SRA-regulated will-writing provider offering fixed-fee online services across England and Wales. Your will gets checked by trained will writers or solicitors, giving you professional oversight without the unpredictability of hourly legal rates. This affordable estate planning route combines the reassurance of a recognised high street brand with the convenience of digital document creation, helping you secure valid wills while knowing exactly what you’ll pay from the start.
What this provider offers
You create your will through their online platform where trained will writers or solicitors check every document before completion. The service covers straightforward estates including mirror wills for couples, with all legal requirements met for validity. Co-op Legal Services handles the signing and witnessing guidance to ensure your will stands up legally, and they can store your completed document securely.
Who this works best for
This service suits anyone aged 18 or over who wants the protection of a regulated provider without paying traditional solicitor hourly rates. You benefit most if you have basic estate planning needs and prefer working with a recognised brand that offers consumer protection. People who value fixed pricing and clear terms find this option particularly helpful.
Regulation by the Solicitors Regulation Authority means you can complain to the Legal Ombudsman if something goes wrong, giving you formal recourse.
Pros, limits and protections
You get full SRA regulation with professional indemnity insurance protecting your interests. Complex additions like property trusts or detailed tax advice may need specialist input beyond the standard service. The Co-op brand recognition gives you confidence in their longevity and consumer focus.
Prices and key deals
Single wills cost £99 while joint mirror wills cost £185 when you purchase through specific promotional links. These fixed fees cover the complete service with no hidden charges for straightforward estates, though complex additions will increase costs.
10. Make a Will Online
Make a Will Online provides digital will-writing services across England and Wales where your document gets checked by a solicitor, offering professional verification at prices well below traditional legal fees. You complete your will through their online platform using guided templates, and a qualified solicitor reviews the finished document to ensure it meets legal standards. This affordable estate planning option gives you solicitor oversight without the hourly rates that typically come with face-to-face legal appointments.
What this provider offers
You access template-based will creation through their website, working through questions that build your document step by step. A solicitor reviews your completed will to catch errors and confirm legal validity. The service covers straightforward wills including standard distributions to spouses and children, with all signing and witnessing requirements explained clearly. Your document gets delivered ready for execution once the solicitor approves it.
Who this works best for
This service suits anyone comfortable with online forms who has basic estate planning needs without complicated trusts or tax considerations. You benefit most if you want solicitor verification at budget prices and prefer working through documents independently rather than in meetings.
Solicitor verification gives you confidence your will is legally sound, even though you create it yourself through digital templates.
Pros, limits and protections
The low price point makes professional will writing accessible to more people. Since wills are checked by solicitors, you have recourse through professional channels if issues arise. However, the service isn’t SRA-regulated itself, which means less formal oversight than fully regulated providers.
Prices and key deals
Single wills cost £60 while joint mirror wills cost £90, making this one of the lowest-priced solicitor-checked options available. These fixed fees cover the complete service with no hidden charges for basic estates.
11. Farewill
Farewill runs an online will-writing platform serving England and Wales where trained will writers or solicitors check your document after you complete their digital forms. You build your will through guided questions covering standard estate distribution, guardian appointments and executor choices. This affordable estate planning service combines accessible pricing with professional document review, helping you create legally valid wills without booking solicitor appointments or paying hourly legal rates.
What this provider offers
You complete your will through their step-by-step online system that walks you through each decision with plain language explanations. A will writer or solicitor reviews your finished document to ensure it meets legal requirements and accurately reflects your wishes. Farewill provides digital storage for your completed will and can arrange printing with guidance on signing and witnessing procedures. Their platform covers straightforward estates including mirror wills for couples, standard beneficiary appointments and basic asset distribution.
Who this works best for
This service suits people confident working through online forms who have basic estate planning needs without complicated tax considerations or overseas property. You benefit most if you want professional document checking at budget prices and prefer creating your will independently rather than through face-to-face meetings. The platform works well if you’re leaving everything to your spouse and children or making straightforward distributions between family members.
Professional will checking catches common errors that could invalidate DIY wills, giving you confidence your document will stand up legally.
Pros, limits and protections
Farewill isn’t SRA-regulated itself, though wills checked by solicitors give you some recourse through professional channels if problems arise. The service focuses on simpler estates, so complex situations involving trusts or detailed tax planning may need specialist legal support beyond their platform capabilities.
Prices and key deals
Single wills cost £70 while joint mirror wills cost £112 when purchased through promotional links with code msesave30. These fixed fees cover complete will creation and professional checking for straightforward estates.
12. Which? wills service
Which? operates an online will-writing platform across the UK where your document gets checked by a will writer or solicitor after you complete their digital forms. The consumer champion organisation extends its trusted reputation into affordable estate planning, offering fixed-price will creation through guided templates that walk you through each decision. Your completed document receives professional review to ensure it meets legal standards, giving you confidence in your will’s validity without paying traditional solicitor hourly rates.
What this provider offers
You create your will through their template-based online system covering straightforward estates including mirror wills for couples. A will writer or solicitor checks your completed document to catch errors and confirm legal compliance. Which? provides clear guidance on asset distribution, executor appointments and guardian choices for children, with all signing and witnessing requirements explained in plain language.
Who this works best for
This service suits people who already trust the Which? brand for consumer advice and want that same reliability for estate planning. You benefit most if you have basic wishes without complicated trusts or tax considerations, and you’re comfortable working through online forms independently rather than in face-to-face meetings with solicitors.
The Which? name gives you brand confidence backed by their consumer protection track record, though the will service itself operates separately from their product testing division.
Pros, limits and protections
Which? isn’t SRA-regulated as a will-writing provider, though wills checked by solicitors offer some professional recourse. The familiar brand name provides reassurance, but complex estates may need more hands-on legal support than their online platform delivers.
Prices and key deals
Single wills cost £75 while joint mirror wills cost £117 when purchased through promotional links. These fixed fees cover complete will creation and professional checking for straightforward estates with no hidden charges.
13. Home insurance legal cover
Many home insurance policies let you add legal cover as an optional extra, and this add-on often includes will-writing services as part of the package. You pay a small annual premium on top of your standard home insurance, gaining access to legal professionals who can draft your will alongside other legal support like employment disputes or contract issues. This affordable estate planning route works if you’re already considering legal cover for other reasons, making the will service a valuable bonus rather than the primary benefit.
What this provider offers
You receive will creation through legal teams employed by your insurance provider, typically covering straightforward wills without complex trusts or tax planning. The service handles all signing and witnessing requirements to ensure validity, and you complete your will by providing details directly to the legal team who build the document for you. Most policies also offer will updates if your circumstances change while your legal cover remains active.
Who this works best for
This service suits existing home insurance customers who want legal protection across multiple areas beyond just will writing. You benefit most if you’re already planning to add legal cover for employment issues, consumer disputes or property matters, making the will service an efficient extra benefit rather than paying separately for estate planning.
Pros, limits and protections
The bundled approach saves money if you need multiple legal services throughout the year. Protection levels depend on whether the legal team includes qualified solicitors or general legal advisers, which varies between insurance providers.
Prices and key deals
Legal cover typically adds £20 to £40 annually to your home insurance premium, with will-writing included at no extra charge once you’ve paid for the legal cover add-on.
14. Affordable Financial Planning Services
Affordable Financial Planning Services (AFPS) delivers professional will writing and estate planning services through home visits across the UK, bringing qualified advisers directly to you rather than requiring office appointments. Their team combines will creation with broader estate planning advice, helping you understand how your assets will pass to beneficiaries while ensuring your documents meet legal requirements. This affordable estate planning approach works particularly well if you prefer face-to-face guidance in your own home rather than working through online forms or visiting solicitor offices.
What this provider offers
You receive home visit appointments where AFPS advisers discuss your estate planning needs and draft your will based on your specific circumstances. The service covers straightforward wills including mirror wills for couples, along with guidance on inheritance planning and asset distribution. Their advisers explain legal requirements clearly and ensure your will gets properly signed and witnessed during the visit.
Who this works best for
This service suits people who prefer personal consultations rather than digital platforms or telephone guidance. You benefit most if mobility issues make office visits difficult, or if you want hands-on support working through estate planning decisions with someone in front of you.
Home visits remove the stress of travelling to solicitor offices while giving you dedicated time to discuss your wishes thoroughly.
Pros, limits and protections
The convenience of home appointments saves you travel time and lets you work through documents in comfortable surroundings. Check whether AFPS advisers are members of recognised will-writing bodies like the Institute of Professional Willwriters, which provides professional standards and complaints procedures.
Prices and key deals
Contact AFPS directly for specific pricing as their fees vary based on your location and the complexity of your estate planning needs. Home visit services typically cost more than online options due to adviser travel time and personal consultations.
15. Redwood estate planning
Redwood Estate Planning provides home visit will-writing services across the UK, bringing qualified advisers to your door for face-to-face consultations about your estate. Their team offers bespoke advice tailored to your specific circumstances, working through complex family situations and asset distributions that might challenge online platforms. This affordable estate planning provider emphasises no-pressure consultations and transparent pricing, helping you create comprehensive wills without feeling rushed or surprised by hidden costs.
What this provider offers
You receive free initial home visits where Redwood advisers discuss your estate planning requirements and explain your options clearly. Their service covers straightforward and complex wills including trusts, property protection and inheritance tax planning. Redwood’s advisers guide you through all signing and witnessing procedures to ensure your documents meet legal standards.
Who this works best for
This service suits people with complicated estates involving business interests, second marriages or disabled beneficiaries who need detailed planning. You benefit most if you prefer working through complex decisions with someone physically present rather than managing intricate arrangements through digital forms.
Pros, limits and protections
Redwood carries professional indemnity insurance protecting you if errors occur, and their advisers follow industry standards. The home visit approach saves you travel time while providing dedicated attention to your specific needs.
Face-to-face consultations help you ask questions immediately and work through complicated family situations more effectively than email exchanges.
Prices and key deals
Contact Redwood directly for specific quotes as their fees depend on your estate’s complexity and your location. Their transparent pricing model means you know all costs upfront before committing to their service.
16. Local fixed fee solicitors
Many high street solicitors across England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland offer fixed-fee will writing rather than charging by the hour, making professional legal help more predictable and accessible. You find these firms through the Law Society’s online directory or by contacting solicitors in your area directly to ask about their pricing structures. This affordable estate planning route gives you face-to-face access to qualified legal professionals with full regulatory protection, helping you create comprehensive wills while knowing exactly what you’ll pay from the start.
What this provider offers
You receive complete solicitor services including initial consultations to understand your estate, drafting of your will, and guidance through all signing and witnessing procedures. Local firms typically offer free will storage in their secure vaults, plus they can handle complex situations involving trusts, Inheritance Tax planning and overseas property. Your solicitor explains legal implications clearly and answers questions throughout the process, giving you hands-on support that online platforms can’t match.
Who this works best for
This service suits anyone wanting traditional legal advice with the reassurance of meeting a qualified solicitor face-to-face. You benefit most if your estate involves complications like business interests, second marriages or disabled beneficiaries requiring specialist trusts.
Meeting a solicitor in person lets you ask detailed questions about your specific circumstances and get immediate expert responses.
Pros, limits and protections
You receive full SRA regulation (or equivalent in Scotland and Northern Ireland) with professional indemnity insurance and access to the Legal Ombudsman. Fixed fees remove the worry of mounting hourly charges, though complex additions may increase costs beyond the quoted price.
Prices and key deals
Fixed fees for straightforward wills typically range from £150 to £250, while mirror wills for couples cost £200 to £350. Contact several local firms to compare quotes, as prices vary significantly between practices even within the same town.
Next steps
You now have 16 different routes to securing a legally valid will without paying hundreds of pounds to traditional solicitors. The right choice depends on your age, union membership, estate complexity and whether you prefer online forms or face-to-face guidance. Start by assessing which providers match your specific circumstances, then book appointments during free will months or contact services offering year-round access.
Consider combining your affordable estate planning efforts with other end-of-life arrangements to save time and reduce stress for your loved ones. Go Direct Cremations offers both estate planning guidance and direct cremation services, helping you address difficult topics in one conversation while keeping costs transparent. Their 24/7 availability means you can discuss your options whenever suits you best, whether you’re planning ahead for yourself or supporting a family member through these important decisions.